“We urge you to immediately withdraw this dangerous bill,” the Senate Democrats wrote. “This legislation has the effect of justifying murder because of a perceived threat, even in cases where that perception appears to be based more on racist stereotyping than on any real danger.”

The New York bill has been introduced several times since 2007 and hasn’t passed either house of the Legislature. It does not have an Assembly sponsor this year, and is sponsored in the Senate by Maziarz, of Newfane, Niagara County.

Here’s the letter, which was coordinated by Sen. Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan: